TOLEDO – Oscar Gonzalez hit a two-run home run and Angel Martinez drove in three runs as the Clippers dominated the Toledo Mud Hens in the opening game of the final six-game series of the regular season between the in-state rivals.
Clippers pitchers struck out 15 Mud Hens hitters while holding Toledo to only four hits at Fifth Third Field.
Cade Smith (4-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief to get the win.
The score was knotted at 4-4 in the sixth inning, when Bryan Lavastida put the Clippers on top with a solo homer and Columbus scored three in the seventh to secure the victory.